This is a pre-assessment of student knowledge and will serve as information to guide instruction.
Students will discuss in pairs their knowledge of how water affects land. Then, as a whole group, teacher notes can be taken using chart paper. Determine what students know or think they know about land and water and the processes that change the surface of the Earth.
Students will watch "United Streaming/Study Jams" video to confirm or reject ideas on water's affect on Earth's land. Students should take notes on key vocabulary used throughout the video.
Students will be introduced to Stream Tables (used to increase knowledge about the world's significant land formations developed by streams and rivers).
Procedures:
1. In groups of 3, students will begin to set up stream tables (prop up one end of the stream table to about 3 to 5 cm. Fill the raised end of the stream table with fine sand. Pick up the raised end and shake the stream table gently until the sand covers about the top two-thirds.)
2. Begin pouring water, slowly and steadily from a watering can that is held slightly above the high end of the stream table.
3. Observe the small stream that forms in the sand. Ask the following: “What happened to some of the sand as the water flowed over it?”, "Where did the sand go?” Sketch what you saw.
4. Smooth the sand and use a finger to create a winding, meandering channel. Pour a steady trickle of water down this channel. Ask the following: “Are you able to see where erosion is occurring in the meandering stream?", "Where?", "Are you able to see where deposition is occurring?, "Where?” Make a sketch of the meandering stream and label areas of erosion and deposition.
5. Now find out what happens in a flood by pouring more water, faster down the channel. Describe what happens to the channel and to the sand. Make a sketch of the stream under flood conditions.
6. Ask: "Do you think the stream would look the same if the slope were steeper?" Prop up the stream table to make the slope greater than before and pour water, slowly and steadly, from the watering can. Describe any differences you see in channel development or particle movement from the previous channels created at a shallower slope.
7. Ask: "What would the landforms in the stream table look like if two or three watering cans made streams at the same time?" Find out by pouring water at the same time from two or three different watering cans. Ask: "Do stream channels merge?", "Are some channels abandoned?", "Are flood conditions reached quickly or not at all?", "Are the deposits at the mouths of the streams large or small?" Describe what you see and make a detailed sketch.
8. End the lesson by having a class discussion on the similarities and differences observed with each of the stream tables.
Materials/ Resources:
Notebooks Laptop/Projector/SMARTBoard United Streaming/Study Jams Video stream table sand watering can, bucket or cup for pouring water water extra sketch paper
2.01: Identify and analyze forces that cause change in landforms over time including.
2.02: Investigate and discuss the role of the water cycle and how movement of water over and through the landscape helps shape land forms.
2.03: Discuss and consider the wearing away and movement of rock and soil in erosion and its importance in forming:
2.04: Describe the deposition of eroded material and its importance in establishing landforms including:
2.05: Discuss how the flow of water and the slope of the land affect erosion.
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=D189A292-B20E-4767-8693-DBDB52D2DB09&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US (discusses how water, ice, wind and gravity affect Earth’s land)
Students will discuss in pairs their knowledge of how water affects land. Then, as a whole group, teacher notes can be taken using chart paper. Determine what students know or think they know about land and water and the processes that change the surface of the Earth.
Students will watch "United Streaming/Study Jams" video to confirm or reject ideas on water's affect on Earth's land. Students should take notes on key vocabulary used throughout the video.
Students will be introduced to Stream Tables (used to increase knowledge about the world's significant land formations developed by streams and rivers).
2. Begin pouring water, slowly and steadily from a watering can that is held slightly above the high end of the stream table.
3. Observe the small stream that forms in the sand. Ask the following: “What happened to some of the sand as the water flowed over it?”, "Where did the sand go?” Sketch what you saw.
4. Smooth the sand and use a finger to create a winding, meandering channel. Pour a steady trickle of water down this channel. Ask the following: “Are you able to see where erosion is occurring in the meandering stream?", "Where?", "Are you able to see where deposition is occurring?, "Where?” Make a sketch of the meandering stream and label areas of erosion and deposition.
5. Now find out what happens in a flood by pouring more water, faster down the channel. Describe what happens to the channel and to the sand. Make a sketch of the stream under flood conditions.
6. Ask: "Do you think the stream would look the same if the slope were steeper?" Prop up the stream table to make the slope greater than before and pour water, slowly and steadly, from the watering can. Describe any differences you see in channel development or particle movement from the previous channels created at a shallower slope.
7. Ask: "What would the landforms in the stream table look like if two or three watering cans made streams at the same time?" Find out by pouring water at the same time from two or three different watering cans. Ask: "Do stream channels merge?", "Are some channels abandoned?", "Are flood conditions reached quickly or not at all?", "Are the deposits at the mouths of the streams large or small?" Describe what you see and make a detailed sketch.
8. End the lesson by having a class discussion on the similarities and differences observed with each of the stream tables.
Laptop/Projector/SMARTBoard
United Streaming/Study Jams Video
stream table
sand
watering can, bucket or cup for pouring water
water
extra sketch paper